ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force said it had recovered railway components estimated at more than N400 million and taken two suspects into custody in connection with the alleged vandalisation of national infrastructure.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday, April 27, 2026, by Anthony Okon Placid, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Force Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement, the arrests were carried out by the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad, which the police said acted on intelligence.
Arrest and Seizure
Police identified the suspects as Chisom Goodnews, 32, and Ahmed Adamu, 22. They were apprehended on April 9, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
Authorities said the operation led to the interception of a trailer transporting roughly 60 tonnes of railway tracks and sleepers believed to have been removed from active infrastructure.
“The suspects, Chisom Goodnews (32) and Ahmed Adamu (22), were arrested on 9 April 2026 at about 1800hrs in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence,” the statement said.
Police added that the materials were concealed beneath sacks of groundnut shells.
“The materials were concealed under sacks of groundnut shells in a deliberate attempt to evade detection while being transported from Bauchi State to Ilorin, Kwara State,” the statement said.
Investigators said initial findings indicated that the driver of the truck had been hired for N2.5 million to move the materials.
Investigation and Allegations of Bribery Attempt
The police said preliminary inquiries pointed to a broader network involved in the movement and receipt of the stolen items.
“During the investigation, the operatives involved allegedly rejected an offer of N100,000,000 made in a bid to compromise the process and secure the release of the suspects and exhibits,” the statement said.
Authorities confirmed that the truck used in transporting the materials had been seized and that further investigations were under way to identify other individuals linked to the operation.
Official Response
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, praised the officers involved, citing their conduct during the operation.
The police reiterated their position that they would continue efforts to protect public infrastructure and pursue those responsible for its destruction.
Context of Previous Investigations
The development follows earlier disclosures by police authorities regarding the recovery of assets tied to alleged financial crimes.
In a separate matter, the Inspector-General at the time, Kayode Egbetokun, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that properties worth N6 billion had been recovered during an investigation into an alleged fraud and money laundering scheme involving thousands of bank accounts.
The case was presented during proceedings before Justice Obiora Egwatu, where a legal officer from the Force Intelligence Department, Audu Garba, outlined the scope of the inquiry.
Police officials said investigations into such cases remain ongoing, with additional measures including the freezing of accounts linked to suspected illicit activity.
